Today I am bringing to you a wonderful historical romance. In Your Arms is both captivating in the the romance and in the historical significance of the story. The characters are engaging and well-written. For my full review keep reading after the book blurb. I hope you all are having a great week.

Book Blurb:

Lily Singer has never belonged. Taken from her tribe as a child and raised in a white man’s school, she no longer has a place in either world. Teaching has become her life. When that life is threatened by rumors and prejudice after a string of robberies, she must turn for help to the one man who spells disaster for her carefully ordered existence. Will he save her or steal her heart?

Christian Avery, Justice of the Peace, is used to having things his way. Cold Springs is his responsibility, and when its citizens blame the local Indian population for the mysterious robberies, it’s up to him to restore order and maintain calm. The one person who refuses to follow his lead is the beautiful, native-born Lily. Her defiance turns his life upside down and ravages his heart.

But when town gossip shifts from robberies to romance after a foolish indiscretion, Lily’s job and reputation are on the line. She must choose between the only life she has ever known and the only place she has ever felt at home, in Christian’s arms

Review:

Christian Avery has been a thorn in Lily Singer’s side ever since she became the teacher in Cold Springs. He is constantly challenging her and her progressive views. But, its not just Christian she must fight. Her heritage and skin color is a challenge for many to accept. So, when robberies start happening and the local Indians are being pegged as the perpetrators Lily is thrust into a political climate that could end with her losing her job. As the turmoil progresses so does her relationship with Christian. Their spark becomes a flame in more ways than one. But, can their love save her, her job and the town or will it just leave ashes behind?

I really loved this story. I’m a sucker for a good historical romance and this is definitely one of those. I loved Christian and Lily. Their fiery relationship was great. I loved that Lily didn’t just fall all over herself around Christian and Christian didn’t pull punches (verbal) when he sparred with Lily. I think another great level to this book was the historical significance of interracial marriage between native Americans and whites during this time period. In today’s day and age I think we forget how tumultuous loving someone who didn’t look like you effected not just your relationship but those around you and quite possibly your livelihood. This aspect is beautifully portrayed. Overall, I think this was a fantastic novel and now I’d like to go back and read more by Merry Farmer. I know once you pick this up you won’t let it go until the final page is turned.

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I am very excited to bring to you today Ghostwritten by Isabel Wolff. I have been a fan of hers since I read A Vintage Affair. She is an engaging storyteller that takes hold of you and won’t let you go until you turn that final page. Ghostwritten is no exception. For my full review keep reading after the book blurb.

Book Blurb:

A childhood mistake. A lifetime of regrets.

Jenni is a ‘ghost’: she writes the lives of other people. It’s a job that suits her well: still haunted by a childhood tragedy, she finds it easier to take refuge in the memories of others rather than dwell on her own.

Jenni has an exciting new commission, and is delighted to start working on the memoirs of a Dutchwoman, Klara. As a child in the Second World War, Klara was interned in a camp on Java during the Japanese occupation – she has an extraordinary story of survival to tell.

But as Jenni and Klara begin to get to know each other, Jenni begins to do much more than shed light on a neglected part of history. She is being forced to examine her own devastating memories, too. But with Klara’s help, perhaps this is finally the moment where she will be able to lay the ghosts of her own past to rest?

Gripping, poignant and beautifully researched, Ghostwritten is a story of survival and love, of memory and hope

Review:

Jenni’s past has started to catch up with her. The secret she has kept buried from everyone close to her is now effecting her life. Though her personal life is being turned upside down, she is given an interesting opportunity to ghostwrite for a woman who’s story will echo close to Jenni’s. In the beginning Jenni bulks at even doing this because it will take her to the heart of her past and keep her there until she is done with the story. But, once Jenni meets Klara and her family she realizes that her decision to help Klara tell her story was the best thing to happen to both of them.

This novel was one of the most poignant stories I’ve read in awhile. It is emotionally ride that will leave you both happy and sad at the end. Klara and Jenni’s stories are so realistic and relatable that you feel you are part of their stories. Klara’s experiences on Java and the internment camps brought a whole new story of WWII that many people may not know. I think this added a wonderful element of historical significance with a personal touch of someone’s experiences. The intricate weaving of both Jenni’s and Klara’s stories are done with such ease that you flow between stories naturally. Isabel Wolff does a phenomenal job going between past and present. It takes a talent like hers to expertly move between years and not lose a reader. Overall, this is a story that you want to pick up and never let go. I know it will remain with me for quite sometime. I can’t wait to read what Isabel Wolff comes up with next.

Happy Friday! Today I will be introducing you to The Trickster Edda by Crystal Lynn Hilbert. This is a short novel that tackles what would happen if the Norse Gods were real and you were related to one. Its a quick enjoyable read that will keep you engaged til the end. For my full review keep reading after the book blurb.

Book Blurb:

Conrad just wants a hotdog. He isn’t expecting to run into the god Loki, or get involved in a family feud of epic proportions. But he does, and the trickster shoves something into his head. Something the other Norse gods are keen to get their hands on.

Conrad is pulled into a world of 24-hour mythological convenience stores and man-sized crows, giant hounds and fairies who’d sooner eat him than grant a wish. Is Loki on his side, or setting him up to be the fall guy? Is this the start of Ragnarok? Is his not-so-secret crush a sort-of-magical being or just another hapless human caught up in the insanity? Conrad isn’t quite certain, but he knows he better find out quick, before he loses his head.

Review:

When we meet Conrad all he wants is a hotdog from his favorite stand. Unfortunately a crazy person is blocking his way. Too soon he realizes the crazy person is actually Loki and he is Loki’s chosen one. Loki puts something in Conrad’s head and by doing so turns Conrad’s life upside down. His only positive is he finally gets to really meet the girl he’s been crushing on for a while. The problem with that is she is also supernatural, but she helps him navigate his new world of being chased by giant crows, invisible dragons, Gods just looking for a girls number and a pissed off Fate. That’s just a part of being Loki’s chosen one. Can Conrad learn to live in this new world or will he lose his sanity before that day comes?

This was a cute little novel. It isn’t very long and is very exciting. It keeps you on your toes and is quite comical at times. If you are not fluent in Norse mythology you will be by the end of this book. Whether all of this is true to the mythology, it will peak your interest in the Loki, Odin, Thor aspects of the book. Conrad and Lily are cute and very well developed for as short of a story this is. I would like to see more of these characters in the future. Overall, I think this is a great young adult book that is quick paced and fun.

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The world of Bookmaven623

You will discover after reading my blog that I am a person of many varied interests and opinions. My book tastes go from Young Adult fiction to Historical Fiction to Paranormal Romance and so many others. The Authors I will profile are ones I have read and continue to read. For any personal information about me you can see my About me page. I warn you reader...I am not a writer but like you an avid reader. So enjoy and I look forward to your comments. :)